Archived: Marian House

Marian House is a registered care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 20 people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were kept safe. Staff had received training and understood the different types of abuse and knew what action they would take if they thought a person was at risk of harm. Staff were able to recognise the signs of abuse and raise concerns if needed. Staff were provided with sufficient guidance on how to support people’s medical care and support needs. People’s medicines were managed and administered safely and as prescribed.

People were supported by enough staff that had been safely recruited. People and relatives felt that staff demonstrated the appropriate skills and knowledge to provide good care and support. Staff were trained and supported so that they had the knowledge and skills they required to enable them to care for people in a way that met their individual needs and preferences.

People were encouraged to make choices and were involved in the care and support they received. Staff had an awareness of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS) and how to support people within their best interests. Staff were respectful of people’s diverse needs and the importance of promoting equality.

Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People’s independence was respected and promoted and staff responded to people’s support needs in a timely manner. People and their relatives felt they could speak with the provider about their worries or concerns and were confident that they would be listened to and have their concerns addressed.

Staff spoke positively about the provider and the supportive culture they had established at the home. The provider had quality assurance and audit systems in place to monitor the care and support people received, ensuring that the quality of service provided remained consistent and effective.

People were involved in decisions about their care and were asked for their consent before care was given. Where people did not have mental capacity to consent, care was provided in their best interests. One person said, 'Staff always ask me what I want help with.' Another person said, 'I choose when I get up, go to bed and how I spend my time.' Staff would never force me to do something I didn't want.'

People's needs were assessed and planned. People received care in the way they wanted and as identified. External health professionals such as specialist consultants, community nurses and dieticians were involved in their care so that people's health care needs were monitored and met. One relative spoken with said, 'This place stands for everything that is good about care for younger people.'

People were involved in a variety of interesting activities. One person said, 'I go to college and we go to Drayton Manor Park and have fun.'

Staff training was up to date and staff were supported in their roles.

People received their medicines as prescribed by their doctor to ensure their health needs were met.

Robust audit systems were in place for monitoring and improving the quality of the service, when needed, for people living in the home.

People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff offered people choices and ensured these were facilitated.

People's needs were met in an individualised way and their health needs were met with support from staff and a variety of health professionals. One person told us about their health needs and the medicines they took. This meant that people were involved in their care.

One person told us, 'I like it here'. Another person said, 'I've got a nice big bedroom.' This showed that people liked living in the home.

People were involved in washing up dishes, chatting to each other, going shopping and college. This meant people led fulfilled lives.

Staff were knowledgeable about people's needs. Staff were supported to carry out their roles safely. Staff told us they liked working in the home and some staff had worked there a long time. This meant people were supported by staff who knew them well.

People living in the home were protected from the risks of abuse and unsafe care.

The provider ensured that there was adequate monitoring of the service to ensure that people received a good service that met their needs.